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Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch vs Kamado Joe Classic Joe III
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch vs Kamado Joe Classic Joe III, compared side by side using critic reviews, Reddit opinions, and Amazon data.
Quick answer: These are neck and neck (90 vs 85). Pick Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch for holds temp for 8-12 hours with zero babysitting, or Kamado Joe Classic Joe III for best heat retention and fuel efficiency of any kamado.
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch
8 critics · 55 Reddit · 5,495 Amazon
Kamado Joe Classic Joe III
7 critics · 48 Reddit · 142 Amazon
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Weber Smokey | Kamado Joe |
|---|---|---|
| PatioRank Score | 90/100 | 85/100 |
| Critic Score | 88/100 | 85/100 |
| Reddit Score | 90/100 | 88/100 |
| Amazon Rating | 4.7★ | 4.3★ |
| Reviews | 5,495 | 142 |
| Price | $419 | $2199 |
Pros & Cons
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch
- + Holds temp for 8-12 hours with zero babysitting
- + Produces deeper smoke flavor than any pellet grill
- + Bulletproof reliability - users report 10+ years of heavy use
- + Massive online community (virtualweberbullet.com)
- − No WiFi or app - manual monitoring only
- − Water pan management is tricky for beginners
- − Limited capacity vs larger offset smokers
Kamado Joe Classic Joe III
- + Best heat retention and fuel efficiency of any kamado
- + Divide and Conquer system is a standout for multi-zone cooking
- + Air Lift hinge - open the dome with one finger
- + Way better accessories included vs Big Green Egg
- − 250+ lbs assembled - not moving this thing once placed
- − Steep learning curve for temperature control
- − Gaskets degrade and need replacement over time
What Reddit Says
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch
"WSM 18 is the best smoker you can buy under $500. I've had mine for 7 years. Briskets, ribs, pulled pork - never let me down once."
"Sold my pellet grill and went back to the WSM. The smoke flavor isn't even comparable. Pellet grills are glorified ovens."
Kamado Joe Classic Joe III
"Switched from BGE to Kamado Joe and it's not even close. The Divide and Conquer alone is worth the switch. Plus the Air Lift hinge means my wife actually uses it too."
"Is it worth $2200? If you cook 3+ times a week, yes. The fuel efficiency alone saves you money long term. I use maybe 1/3 the charcoal I used on my Weber Kettle."
Verdict
These two are neck and neck. The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch edges ahead slightly with a PatioRank Score of 90 vs 85, but both are solid choices depending on your priorities.